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Budget Kills Louisiana Conservationist

Because of a decline in advertising dollars and readership, the plight of the modern magazine has been well documented in recent years. But few, if any, have folded because of a sluggish state economy — until now. Like other state agencies, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries faces another round of budget cuts (to the tune of $450,000), and among the first programmatic victims will be Louisiana Conservationist magazine. The last issue of the state's oldest outdoors publication will be printed in the spring. The total savings to the department will be $220,000 a year. It appears the decision was made quietly — and recently. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the department's public information office was promoting a subscription to the magazine as a gift idea. Louisiana Conservationist, which has survived more than half a century, was a reliable venue for scores of freelance writers and photographers. It also had a strong stable of in-house talent over the years. The late Grits Grisham served as editor before moving to his national sportsman show on ABC during the 1960s and 1970s. WWL outdoors reporter Frank Davis likewise served as associate editor for 10 years. — Jeremy Alford